WALT GROLLER HONORED BY GRAMMY NOMINATION

The Grammy Award - associated with the pomp and glitter of the most popular bands in the nation's music industry - may be added to the list of honors earned by a 57-year-old Whitehall artist.

Recognized for his album "It's Polkamatic," band composer and performer Walt Groller joined four other bands across the country nominated Thursday for the award.

"Radio City Music Hall will be an experience for me," Groller said of the ceremonies planned for March 2. "I'm still not used to all that glitter and glory. It has not changed anything."

That glory includes his year-and-a-half membership in the International Polka Music Hall of Fame in Chicago and the release of 21 albums and more than 150 songs.

But Groller said, "The most important thing is bringing happiness to people with the music. If we can make a soul happy out there and bring joy with the music, then that is greater than all the awards put together."

Of the Grammy nomination, Groller said, "I don't think this has ever happened to anybody locally. I'm a pioneer I guess."

The nominated album features his band "The Walt Groller Orchestra," composed of Groller's son, Joe, on drums; Ray Bertsch, the bass player with Groller for 42 years; guitarist and vocalist Chris Fagan, and Norman Stull on wind instruments.

Groller said the polka category has been included in the Grammy's only since 1985, and this is his first nomination.

" 'It's Polkamatic' appeals to all ages, because that's what we had in mind," Groller said.

"It's nostalgic. And it's very modern. There are songs that appeal to the young and the old alike."

Groller said the title song is becoming a hit around the country.

And, he said, two additional polka melodies from the album, "Come into my Wigwam" and "Honey Honey Polka," are also gaining popularity among listeners.

Joe Vargo, of WXLV's Prime Time Polka Time show, said "Every day that I'm on, someone's calling up for a Walt Groller number. He's pretty popular here in the area. Most of the polka listeners here are the Austrian German people."

Of the five nominated, Vargo said, Groller is the only one not playing the brassy Polish style.

Paul Nush of WHOL's "Mr. Paul's Polka Express" said, "Walt Groller digs down deep inside for something new and original. He's in a category of his own."

Groller's four competitors include: "In Polka Unity" by Lenny Gomulka & Dick Pillar of Connecticut; "Let's Celebrate Again," by Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones of Chicago; "A Polka Just for Me," by Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra of Florida, and "Polka Mania," by the Kryger Brothers of the Wilkes Barre area.

He added, "I'm not confident it's going to be me. I'm just happy they've chosen my album to be one of the five. That in itself is an honor."